OMG the things I learn...I'm on stock.  Long pressed the home key while on the home screen, where, by the way, I have a dedicated widget for the Google search bar.  Low and behold...long pressing the home key results in the search bar AND down below a myriad of other things plus being able to pop right into the now cards.  I had no idea.  I see no point in continuing to dedicate an entire row to the google search bar on the home screen since I can get to it with one long button press.  Thank you!
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